Absorbent article having a fever indicator

ABSTRACT

A wearable article including a fever indicator disposed on at least a portion of the article for indicating the body temperature of a wearer. The fever indicator may be used in conjunction with a disposable absorbent article and provides a signal indicating qualitative or quantitative information about the body temperature of the wearer based on the temperature of the wearer&#39;s urine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Applicants hereby claim the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/302,481, Confirmation No. 7838, filed on Jun.29, 2001 in the name of Allen et al., in accordance with 35 U.S.C.119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is directed to a fever indicator that may be usedin conjunction with a wearable article. More particularly, the inventionrelates to hygienic absorbent articles, such as diapers, adultincontinence articles, feminine protection articles and the likeincluding a fever indicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wearable and absorbent articles are well known in the art.Absorbent articles typically have an absorbent core, which is held orpositioned against the body of the wearer during use by a fasteningsystem, such that the bodily exudates are caught by the article. Typicalabsorbent articles include a topsheet facing the wearer which permitsfluid exudates to pass through and a backsheet which prevents theexudates from escaping from the absorbent article.

[0004] Many advancements have been made in the art since theintroduction of the disposable absorbent article. However, most of thesearticles are not adapted to aid the caregiver in the monitoring of thehealth of the wearer. Certain attempts have been made in the art toinclude analysis of components of human waste, such as urine and feces,to provide indication of various specific health issues such asinfections (e.g., urinary tract infections, etc.). For example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,468,236 issued to Everhart et al. on Nov. 21, 1995 disclosesa disposable absorbent product that includes a chemically reactive meanshaving an end point adapted to provide a visual indicator of thepresence of a substance in mammalian bodily excrement. However, theprior art fails to provide the caregiver with a continuous monitoringfor the early indication of the onset of a fever, often resulting in adelay in recognition of, and the ultimate diagnosis and treatment of, awide variety of illnesses. Thus, it would be desirable to providewearable articles with the capability to detect an elevated core bodytemperature in a wearer. It would also be desirable to provide absorbentarticles with fever indicators that are capable of informing the weareror caregiver of the wearer's temperature under certain circumstances.Further, it would be desirable for the fever indicators to providequantitative or qualitative information to the user or caregiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a wearable article comprising an outercover adapted to fit about a portion of a wearer; and a fever indicatoroperatively associated with the outer cover, wherein the fever indicatorprovides a signal when a wearer's body temperature is above at least onepredetermined threshold temperature, the fever indicator determining thewearer's body temperature from urine expelled from the wearer's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper embodiment of thepresent invention with portions cut away to reveal underlying structure.

[0007]FIG. 2 shows a generic qualitative fever indicator.

[0008]FIG. 3 shows a qualitative fever indicator having an alphanumericsignal.

[0009]FIG. 4 shows a qualitative fever indicator having two temperaturethresholds.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a particulate form of a feverindicator.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a layered form of a feverindicator.

[0012]FIG. 7 shows a quantitative fever indicator having multipletemperature thresholds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is directed to a fever indicator that maybe used in conjunction with a wearable article, including but notlimited to disposable absorbent articles. As used herein, the term“wearable article” refers to articles adapted to be applied or affixedto, or otherwise associated with a portion of a wearer's anatomy for acertain period of time, and often during a wearer's normal activities.Wearable articles may encircle or at least partially enclose a portionof a wearer's body, such as in the case of belts, diapers, trainingpants, underwear, other garments, and the like. Such wearable articlesmay include elasticically extensible and/or fastening components toensure a proper fit to the wearer and/or fastening components to providefor convenient application and removal of the article from the wearer bya caregiver. Alternatively, in addition to the above described features,at least a portion of the wearable article may be adhesively affixed tothe skin of the wearer. In some embodiments, the wearable article mayinclude a separate element, such as an insert, affixed to or associatedwith the wearable article. Although not limited to such embodiments, thepresent invention will generally be described below as associated with adisposable absorbent article.

[0014] As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devicesthat absorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, refers todevices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbentarticles that generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as absorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to bediscarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, compostedor otherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner). A“unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articles that are formedof separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity so thatthey do not require separate manipulative parts like a separate holderand/or liner. A preferred absorbent article embodiment of the presentinvention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shownin FIG. 1. As used herein, the term “diaper” refers to an absorbentarticle generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about thelower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other wearableand absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinenceundergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, femininehygiene garments, bandages and the like.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention ina flat-out state with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of thediaper 20 that faces the wearer is oriented towards the viewer. As shownin FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet24; a liquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28 that ispreferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 andthe backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elasticwaist feature 34; and a fastening system generally designated 40. Thediaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a first waist region 36, a secondwaist region 38 opposed to the first waist region 36 and a crotch region37 located between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region38. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of thediaper 20 in which longitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to thelongitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and end edges 52 runbetween the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateralcenterline 110 of the diaper 20.

[0016] While the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the absorbent core26 may be assembled in a variety of well known configurations, preferreddiaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003entitled “Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper” issued toKenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued toBuell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell onJun. 22, 1993; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145 entitled “Absorbent ArticleWith Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible WaistFeature” issued to Roe et al. on Sep. 10, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234entitled “Disposable Pull-On Pant” issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 29,1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411 entitled “Zero Scrap Method ForManufacturing Side Panels For Absorbent Articles” issued to Nease et al.on Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 entitled “Absorbent ArticleWith Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels” issued to Robles et al.on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20positioned adjacent garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28that prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets andundergarments. The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent bodyfacing surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be joined theretoand/or to the backsheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Asused herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetratethrough its thickness.

[0018] The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material whichis generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 may be manufacturedin a wide variety of sizes and shapes and may comprise a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and otherabsorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generallyreferred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materialsinclude creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform;chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials.

[0019] As noted above, the diaper 20 may also include a fastening system40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region36 and the second waist region 38 in a configuration so as to providelateral tensions about the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold thediaper 20 on the wearer. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises asurface fastener such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening componentsand/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other knownfastening means are generally acceptable. In alternative embodiments,opposing sides of the article may be seamed or welded to form a pant.This allows the article to be used as a pull-on type diaper, such as atraining pant.

[0020] The article of the present invention further comprises a feverindicator 60 that provides a qualitative or quantitative visible,audible, or tactile signal of an elevated core body temperature of thewearer of the article. It has been shown in the medical literature thatfresh urine temperature correlates well with core body temperature.Exemplary references in the medical literature include Ehrenkranz, J. R.L., et al, “A New Method of Measuring Body Temperature”, New JerseyMedicine, Vol. 83, No. 2, Feb 1986, pp. 93-96, and Murray, H. W., et al,“Urinary Temperature: A Clue to Early Diagnosis of Factitious Fever”,Medical Intelligence, Col. 296, No.1, 1977. Accordingly, the feverindicator of the present invention is preferably responsive to elevatedurine temperatures.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the fever indicator 60 may provide aqualitative visual indication that the urine temperature, and thereforethe core body temperature, is above a pre-defined threshold value. Thethreshold value is preferably set at a body temperature that wouldtypically trigger a call or visit to a physician. For example, manyphysicians in the United States tell mothers of infants and youngchildren that body temperatures above a specific level, generally in therange of about 100 degrees F. (about 37.8 degrees C.) to about 101degrees F. (about 38.3 degrees C.), warrant contacting the doctor'soffice. Therefore, the fever indicator 60 may be designed, for example,to indicate to a mother, or other caregiver, that the temperature of theurine is at about 101 degrees F. (about 38.3 degrees C.) or above. Inthis event, the caregiver may choose to use a secondary temperaturemeasurement tool (e.g., an infrared ear thermometer, oral thermometer,axillary thermometer, rectal thermometer, skin patch thermometer, etc.)to obtain a quantitative temperature measurement to provide to thedoctor. In such a case, the fever indicator 60 functions as an “earlywarning” of a potential illness or infection and a signal to takesecondary diagnostic action. The fever indicator 60 may provide a signalwhen the urine temperature is actually at or above the predefinedthreshold value. Alternatively, in certain embodiments the urinetemperature may drop a known amount prior to contacting the feverindicator 60. In these embodiments, the fever indicator 60 may provide asignal at a urine temperature lower than, but correlated to, thepredefined threshold value.

[0022] Elevated body temperatures may be signaled to the caregiver viavisible, audible, and/or tactile signals. In preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, a visual signal is provided to the caregiver bythe fever indicator 60. Examples of visual signals include having acolor or pattern appear, disappear, or change in color, shape, ordesign, or any combination thereof. The pattern may, for example,include one or more stripes, dots, alphanumeric characters, symbols, orpictures, or any combination thereof. FIG. 2 depicts an exemplaryembodiment of a qualitative fever indicator wherein the smaller box 84changes color when contacted by urine at or above the thresholdtemperature. FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a qualitative feverindicator wherein an alphanumeric designation 86 (the alphanumericdesignation “101” is shown as an example) appears when contacted byurine at or above the threshold temperature, in this example 101 degreesF. (about 38.3 degrees C.).

[0023] In preferred embodiments, the fever indicator 60 should respondonly to urine having a temperature above the predefined threshold value.Therefore, the fever indicator should respond only when the conditionsof urine presence and a predefined temperature are met. Situationswherein the article is subjected to only one of these parameters shouldnot result in an indication from the fever indicator 60. For example,the fever indicator 60 should not respond to high temperature in theabsence of free water such as would be experienced in an unattendedautomobile on a hot sunny day. Further, the indicator should not respondto the presence of water in the absence of a temperature below thepredefined threshold such as would be experienced when a healthy wearerhaving a normal body temperature urinates into the article.

[0024] The fever indicator 60 may have the capability to indicatemultiple temperature thresholds, providing a more quantitativeindication of the severity of the fever. For example, the feverindicator 60 may include two temperature thresholds, indicating bothmoderate and severe fevers. In a non-limiting example, the feverindicator 60 may provide separate signals for fevers at 101 degrees F.(about 38.3 degrees C.) and 104 degrees F. (about 40.0 degrees C.), asindicated by the alphanumerics 86 shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, thefever indicator 60 may include a multiplicity of temperature thresholds,each providing a separate signal, at regular intervals through thetemperature region of interest. For example, the fever indicator 60 mayhave temperature thresholds at intervals of 0.5 degrees F. (about 0.28 Cdegrees) through the range of 100 degrees F. (about 37.8 degrees C.) to104 degrees F. (about 40.0 degrees C.). In embodiments having more thanone temperature threshold, the fever indicator 60 may provide differentvisual signals for each threshold (i.e., a different color, symbol,alphanumeric symbol, shape, etc., or combination thereof). In certainembodiments, each threshold may comprise a simple signal (e.g., acolored dot 82) next to an indicium 80 on the carrier element 68, oneexample of which is shown in FIG. 7. The temperature indicating systemsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,094,545; 4,345,470; 4,564,299; or5,222,809, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, maybe suitable for use in the article of the present invention.

[0025] Regardless of the number of temperature thresholds and/or thenature of the signal, the fever indicator 60 preferably provides asignal sufficiently durable so as to be readable at any time between thetriggering urination event and the removal of the article. Typically,the signal should be visible for at least about 1 hour after contactwith urine having a temperature above the predefined threshold value.Preferably, the signal should be visible for at least about 2 hours, andmore preferably at least about 12 hours, after contact with urine havinga temperature above the predefined threshold value.

[0026] Upon contact with urine having an elevated temperature, i.e.,urine from a wearer having a core body temperature above the predefinedthreshold value, the fever indicator 60 should respond, i.e., provide avisible signal, prior to the time when the urine has cooled to atemperature below which the urine temperature is indistinguishable fromthe temperature of urine from a wearer having a normal core bodytemperature. Typically, the fever indicator 60 provides a signal withinabout 5 minutes of contacting urine having a temperature above thepredefined threshold value. Preferably, the fever indicator 60 providesa signal within about 1 minute, and more preferably within about 20seconds, of contacting urine having a temperature above the predefinedthreshold value

[0027] A qualitative visual fever indicator 60 may indicate an elevatedbody temperature by having a color or pattern appear, disappear, orchange in color, shape, or design, or any combination thereof. Thepattern may, for example, include one or more stripes, dots,alphanumeric characters, symbols, or pictures, or any combinationthereof. The fever indicator 60 may be visible from inside the articleor outside the article and may be affixed to any component of thearticle. For example, the fever indicator 60 may be affixed to thetopsheet 24, the absorbent material 28, or the backsheet 26. In certainpreferred embodiments, the fever indicator 60 is positioned directlybeneath the topsheet 24 and is visible after the article is at leastpartially removed from the wearer. In certain alternative embodiments,the fever indicator 60 may be positioned on the inside of an article,such as on the inside of the backsheet, such that it can be seen throughat least a portion of the outer cover. In yet other embodiments, thefever indicator 60 may be disposed on the article in such a way that apatch or portion of the article can be pulled away, permanently ortemporarily, such that the indicator is visible without the articlebeing removed from the wearer. In yet other embodiments, the feverindicator 60 may comprise a separate element applied to the article bythe caregiver, such as a diaper insert or other carrier element affixedto the topsheet 24 (e.g., via adhesive, a mechanical fastener, friction,etc.) by the caregiver prior to applying the article to the wearer.

[0028] The fever indicator 60 generally includes a fever indicatingcomposition 70 or element. The fever indicating composition may be inany physical form, including particles and films. Certain preferredfever indicating compositions may include an indicating component, atemperature sensitive component and a urine sensitive component thatfunction together to provide the caregiver a visual indication of thewearer's elevated body temperature. In one exemplary embodiment, asshown in FIG. 5, the fever indicating composition 70 includes anindicating composition 62 in the form of particles suspended in atemperature sensitive component 64 surrounded by a urine sensitivecomponent 66. The indicating component 62, temperature sensitivecomponent 64 and urine sensitive component 66 may each be separate anddifferent components or one element or material may perform more thanone of these functions.

[0029] The temperature sensitive component 64 may include a compositionhaving a melting or softening point at the predefined threshold value.An exemplary temperature sensitive component is 1-tetradecanol, glyceroldiacetate, or myristyl alcohol, which has a melting point of about 38degrees C. Other nonlimiting exemplary temperature sensitivecompositions may include methyl stearate and teppineol. Alternatively,certain waxes and mixtures of other materials may be adapted for use astemperature sensitive components of a fever indicator.

[0030] The urine sensitive component 66 preferably changes properties inthe presence of urine or is at least partially permeable by urine. Forexample, the urine sensitive component 66 may dissolve or become morepermeable in the presence of urine. The urine sensitive component 66 maysense, or respond to, any of the components or properties of urine,including water, pH, enzymes, urea, etc. Exemplary materials suitablefor use in the urine sensitive component 66 include starches and sugars,polyvinyl alcohol (in situ formed films and pre-manufactured films),gelatins, and other water or pH soluble films or materials. Othersuitable materials include wetness or urine indicating compositions asknown in the art, such as hot melt wetness indicators, water soluble dyesystems, etc., including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,211;4,743,238; 5,066,711; 5,342,861; 4,681,576; 5,035,691; 4,231,370;4,895,567; and 6,075,178; incorporated herein by reference.Additionally, novel urine indicating compositions, such as thosedescribed in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No.______ for a Wetness Indicator Having Improved Colorant Retention, filedin the name of Thomas J. Klofta et al. in assignee's Case No. 8870 onFeb. 19, 2002, may be employed as the urine sensitive component 66. Forexample, the urine sensitive component may comprise stearyl alcohol,microcrystalline waxes, etholxylated alcohols, cationic quaternaryamines, or mixtures thereof, and an indicating component, such as a pHindicator. In certain alternate embodiments, the urine sensitivecomponent may comprise a material or composite having different opticalproperties (e.g., contrast) in the wet state versus the dry state, suchas films or tissues having patterns printed in permanent ink whichappear, when viewed through the backsheet, darker when wetted.

[0031] The indicating component 62 of the urine indicator 60 maycomprise a colorant, dye, or indicator that changes appearance (e.g.,color) upon contact with urine or a temperature above a certainthreshold. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the indicatingcomponent include food grade dyes such as FD&C No. 1 Blue, and pHindicators such as bromocresol green and bromophenol blue.

[0032] In certain alternate embodiments wherein the fever indicator isapplied as a stripe or layer to a flexible substrate, such as a film,the previously described glycerol diacetate may act as a plasticizer toprevent the fever indicator, or any component thereof, from crackingunder mechanical stress and leading to false positives or negatives. Inthe context of a fever indicator, a plasticizer may comprise anycompound or composition that is at least partially soluble or misciblein the temperature sensitive component and/or the urine indicatingcomponent and that reduces the tendency of the component to formcrystallized regions, thereby reducing the glass transition temperatureof the component and increasing its flexibility in the temperature rangein which the article is expected to be used. Additional non-limitingexamples of suitable plasticizers include polyhydroxy compounds such asglycerol and polyethylene glycols, microcrystalline waxes, isoparaffins,querbert alcohols, branched esters, branched alcohols, and othercompounds such as those described above.

[0033] The fever indicator 60, or any of the components thereof, may beapplied to a substrate, such as the article or any component thereof orto a carrier element, via any means known in the art. For feverindicators, or components thereof, that are applied in a liquid ormolten state to the substrate in a continuous or intermittent mode, orin patterns, suitable exemplary processes include slot coating, gravureprinting, inkjet printing, spraying, screening, and the like. Theindicator may also be applied to the substrate or article in a solidform, such as films, webs, fibers, or particles via continuous unwindprocesses, cut & slip processes, air deposition, and the like, and maybe joined to the substrate via physical entanglement, entrapment,adhesives or any other means as known in the art.

[0034] In certain preferred embodiments, the fever indicator 60 maycomprise a wetness indicator, such as those described herein, disposedas a thin layer in a pattern or stripe format on the inside of thebacksheet of a disposable article and covered with a thin layer of atemperature sensitive component. In these embodiments, the layer oftemperature sensitive component should cover the wetness indicatorwithout interruption. Preferably the layer of temperature sensitivecomponent extends past the periphery of the wetness indicator, at leastin any region of the fever indicator 60 that may contact urine while thearticle is being worn by a wearer, in order to prevent “false positive”signals by the fever indicator 60.

[0035] As noted above and shown in FIG. 6, the fever indicator 60 may bedisposed on or in a substrate, or carrier element 68. The carrierelement 68 may comprise a web-like component such as a film, woven ornonwoven material, foam, scrim, or cellulosic material, to which thefever indicating composition or element is applied or affixed.Alternately, the carrier 68 may enclose or encapsulate a feverindicating composition to prevent its migration or loss within thearticle before or during use. In these embodiments, the carrier 68 maycomprise one layer folded back upon itself or may comprise amultiplicity of layers. If more than one layer is employed, the variouslayers may have different properties or comprise different materials.For example, a fever indicating composition 70 may be disposed between apermeable top (i.e., wearer-facing) layer and an impermeable bottomlayer. In certain embodiments, the top layer may alternatively comprisea selectively permeable layer, a dissolving layer, a pH sensitive layer,or a coating. The carrier 68 may be flexible or may be relatively rigid.In certain embodiments, the fever indicator 60 may be detachable fromthe article.

[0036] While the fever indicator 60 may be located at any point in thearticle likely to be contacted by urine, the fever indicator 60 ispreferably located in the portion of the article coordinated with theurine loading point (i.e., the location in which the urine typicallyinsults the article, such as in the vicinity of the longitudinalcenterline of the article in the crotch region of the article).Generally, the urine temperature is easily measured at or near thetopsheet of the article (e.g., on the wearer facing side or underside ofthe topsheet) in the vast majority of urine loading occurrences. In themost highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the feverindicator 60 is affixed to the topsheet or any other component of thearticle located above the absorbent core, including the wearer facingsurface of the absorbent core. In many occurrences where the feverindicator is located at or near the inner surface of the backsheet, oron any carrier disposed on the underside of an absorbent core, the feverindicator may be limited to detecting an elevated urine temperature foronly the initial urine loading event since relatively large quantitiesof existing fluid held in the absorbent core may act as a heat sink andprematurely cool subsequent urine voidings below the predefinedtemperature threshold. Additionally, a fever indicator 60 locatedbetween the absorbent core and the backsheet of an article may requirehigher urine temperatures, greater urination event volumes, and/orslower urine loading rates (i.e., to ensure maximum absorption in theimmediate vicinity of the urination point) to reliably detect thepresence of an elevated core bosy temperature.

[0037] Exemplary Embodiments

EXAMPLE 1

[0038] A qualitative fever indicator having a single temperaturethreshold at approximately 101 degrees F. suitable for use in adisposable absorbent article may be constructed as follows:

[0039] 1. 0.02 grams of a food grade dye that displays a noticeablecolor when dissolved in water is dispersed in 100 grams of molten1-tetradecanol. Preferably, the dye has a blue, green, or purple colorwhen dissolved in water. An example of a suitable blue dye is FD&C No. 1Blue, which is principally the disodium salt ofethyl[4-[-[ethyl(m-sulfobenzyl)amino]-α-(o-sulphophenyl)benzylidene]-2,5-cyclohexdien-1-ylidene](m-sulphobenzyl)ammonium hydroxide inner salt. This compound is commonly designatedCAS#2650-18-2. The CAS# refers to the unique numerical designationassigned to a chemical by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) ofColumbus, Ohio, USA, which is a division of the American ChemicalSociety of Washington, D.C. USA.

[0040] 2. The molten tetradecanol is cooled and formed into smallparticles, preferably smaller than 1 mm in largest dimension.Alternatively, the mixture may be spray-dried to form roughly sphericalparticles. Preferred particle sizes are approximately 200 microns.

[0041] 3. The particles from step 2 are coated, e.g., in a fluidizedbed, with additional molten 1-tetradecanol and cooled. The thickness ofthe coating may vary from several microns to about 1 mm.

[0042] 4. The particles from step 2 are coated with a polyvinyl alcoholfilm coating.

[0043] 5. The particles are encapsulated between a layer of nonwoven anda layer of polypropylene film, each having the dimensions of 1 cm by 4cm. The layers are thermomechanically, adhesively, ultrasonically orotherwise bonded together.

[0044] 6. The composite from step 4 is affixed to the underside of adiaper topsheet in the crotch region via hot melt adhesive.

EXAMPLE 2

[0045] A qualitative fever indicator having a single temperaturethreshold at approximately 101 degrees F. suitable for use in adisposable absorbent article may be constructed as follows:

[0046] 1. 0.2 grams of bromophenol blue pH indicator is dispersed in 100grams of molten 1-tetradecanol.

[0047] 2. The mixture from step 1 is applied in a molten form in an 0.5by 3 cm stripe at a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter to a pieceof polypropylene film. The mixture is allowed to cool and harden.

[0048] 3. A layer of polyvinyl alcohol film is applied over the stripfrom step 2.

[0049] 4. The composite from step 4 is affixed to the underside of adiaper topsheet in the crotch region of the diaper via a hot meltadhesive.

EXAMPLE 3

[0050] A fever indicator having multiple temperature thresholds atapproximately 101 and 104 degrees F. suitable for use in a disposableabsorbent article may be constructed as follows:

[0051] 1. 0.2 grams of bromophenol blue pH indicator is dispersed in 100grams of molten 1-tetradecanol to form mixture A.

[0052] 2. 0.2 grams of bromophenol blue pH indicator is dispersed in 100grams of molten glycerol diacetate to form mixture B.

[0053] 3. Mixture A is applied in a molten form in an 0.5 cm diameterdot at a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter to a piece ofpolypropylene film having the dimensions of about 2 cm by about 5 cm.The mixture is allowed to cool and harden.

[0054] 4. Mixture B is applied in a molten form in an 0.5 cm diameterdot at a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter to the same piecepolypropylene film. A 1 cm gap is left between the dots formed withmixtures A and B. The mixture is allowed to cool and harden.

[0055] 5. Dots of molten 1-tetradecanol and glycerol diacetate havingdiameters of 1.0 cm and a basis weight of 25 gsm are applied directlyover the dots A and B, respectively, from steps 3 and 4 and allowed tocool and harden.

[0056] 6. A layer of polyvinyl alcohol film is applied over the dotsfrom step 5.

[0057] 7. The composite from step 4 is affixed to the underside of adiaper topsheet in the crotch region of the diaper via a hot meltadhesive.

EXAMPLE 4

[0058] A quantitative fever indicator having multiple temperaturethresholds suitable for use in a disposable absorbent article, andintegral with the article, may be constructed as follows:

[0059] A carrier having a multiplicity of depressions or “wells” isprovided. Each well is at least partially filled with a differenttemperature indicating mixture, each mixture adapted to change color ata different threshold temperature. The temperature indicating mixturespreferably change color upon the transition from a solid to a liquidstate that occurs at the threshold temperature. An exemplary mixture maybe produced by dissolving 5.0 weight percent of a dye such as pinacyanoliodide in a 75:25 ratio mixture of ortho-bromonitro-benzene andortho-chloronitrobenzene at about 50 degrees C., and subsequentlyallowing the mixture to cool. This mixture has a temperature thresholdof about 100.5 degrees F. (about 38.04 degrees C.). Additional mixturesmay be similarly prepared having different temperature thresholds,providing the basis for a series of discrete increments in temperatureschange thresholds, e.g., 0.5 degree F. increments in as shown in FIG. 7.Further examples of mixtures having different temperature thresholds aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552. The fever indicator may then beaffixed to the underside of the topsheet of the article with the wellsfacing the wearer.

EXAMPLE 5

[0060] A qualitative fever indicator having a single temperaturethreshold suitable for use in a disposable absorbent article may beconstructed as follows:

[0061] 1. The inner surface of a 1.0 mil thick polypropylene film iscoated with a film of a molten wetness indicating adhesive having abasis weight 26 grams per square meter and width of 5 millimeters. Anyknown wetness indicating adhesive adapted to provide a color change whencontacted by urine, including those described herein, is suitable,especially those adhesives comprising a pH indicator, such asbromocresol green and bromophenol blue, having a color transition in therange of about pH 3 to about pH 6. Examples of suitable commerciallyavailable wetness indicating adhesives include FINDLEY™ 9219-01, 9052,and 9133-05 adhesives available from Bostik-Findley of Middleton, Mass.,U.S.A.

[0062] 2. After the film from step 1 has solidified, it is completelycovered by a layer of 1-tetradecanol. This 1-tetradecanol layer has abasis weight of between 26 to 39 grams per square meter, and a width of15 millimeters. The 1-tetradecanol layer is oriented such that its widthextends 5 mm on either side of the width of the wetness indicatingadhesive layer.

[0063] 3. The resultant composite, or a portion thereof, maybe affixedto the inner surface of a disposable diaper topsheet or backsheet.

EXAMPLE 6

[0064] A qualitative fever indicator having a single temperaturethreshold suitable for use in a disposable absorbent article may beconstructed as follows:

[0065] 1. A urine indicating composition is prepared according to theformula and procedure described below: Ingredient Grams Stearyl Alcohol49.8 Microcrystalline Wax 10.0 Stearyl Phosphate 10.0Dimethyl(2-ethylhexylhydrogenated tallowalkyl)ammonium methyl sulfate10.0 Bromocresol Green (powdered acid form) 0.2 C20-C40 Pareth-40nonionic surfactant 20.0

[0066] This urine indicating composition is made by first weighing outthe correct amounts of stearyl alcohol, microcrystalline wax, andstearyl phosphate into a stainless steel container. The stearyl alcoholshould be a white waxy solid with a purity of at least 97% and no morethan 2% of arachidyl alcohol, and have a melting point in the range ofabout 56° C. to about 60° C. The product designated C01897 stearylalcohol available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio,U.S.A., is a current example of a suitable material. Themicrocrystalline wax should be a high molecular weight petroleum basedwax consisting of saturated branched and cyclic non-polar hydrocarbonsand possessing a melting point in the range of about 60° C. to about 95°C. The product designated MULTIWAX™ W-835 available from the CromptonCorporation of Petrolia, Pa., U.S.A. is an example of a suitablemicrocrystalline wax. This mixture is heated and mixed at a temperaturein the range of about 100° C. to about 110° C. until the mixture is aclear, transparent and colorless molten mixture. Thedimethyl(2-ethylhexylhydrogenated tallowalkyl)ammonium methyl sulfate isthen added to the above molten mixture and heated at a temperature inthe range of about 100° C. to about 110° C. for 10 minutes. Thedimethyl(2-ethylhexylhydrogenated tallowalkyl)ammonium methyl sulfateshould have a quaternary salt content of 81.5-84.5%, possess a freeamine and free amine salt impurity content of no more than 4%, and havean HLB of 17-18. The product designated ARQUAD™ HTL8(W)-MS availablefrom Akzo-Nobel of Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. is a good example of adialkyldimethyl quaternary ammonium salt currently meeting theserequirements. To this mixture, the bromocresol green pH indicator isadded. The resultant mixture is heated while mixing at a temperature inthe range of about 100° C. to about 110° C. for 20 mixtures. Finally, tothis mixture, C20-C40 Pareth-40 surfactant is added, the surfactanthaving been preheated to a temperature in the range of about 100° C. toabout 110° C. The C20-C40 Pareth-40 surfactant should have molecularweight (M_(n)) between about 2200 and about 2400, an ethylene oxidecontent between in the range of about 75% to about 85%, an HLB ofapproximately 16, and a melting point in the range of about 80° C. toabout 94° C. The product designated PERFORMATHOX™ 480 available from NewPhase Technologies of Sugar Land, Tex., U.S.A is an example of asuitable C20-C40 Pareth-40 meeting these requirements. The entirecomposition is subsequently heated at a temperature in the range ofabout 100° C. to about 110° C. until it is clear, transparent andyellow-orange in color.

[0067] 2. A 5 mm wide stripe of the composition from step 1 above isapplied to the inner surface of a 1.0 mil thick polypropylene film iscoated with at a basis weight of 26 grams per square meter and width of5 millimeters.

[0068] 3. After the film from step 2 has solidified, it is completelycovered by a continuous layer of 1-tetradecanol. This 1-tetradecanollayer has a basis weight of between 26 to 39 grams per square meter, anda width of 15 millimeters. The 1-tetradecanol layer is oriented suchthat its width extends 5 mm on either side of the width of the urineindicating composition layer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable article comprising an outer coveradapted to fit about a portion of a wearer and a fever indicator affixedto the outer cover, wherein the fever indicator provides a visible,audible, or tactile signal when a wearer's body temperature is above apredetermined threshold temperature, the fever indicator determining thewearer's body temperature from urine expelled from the wearer's body. 2.The wearable article of claim 1 wherein the fever indicator provides aqualitative indication of a fever.
 3. The wearable article of claim 2wherein the fever indicator comprises a temperature indicatingcomponent.
 4. The wearable article of claim 2 wherein the feverindicator comprises at least one of a urine sensitive component and atemperature sensitive component.
 5. The wearable article of claim 1wherein the fever indicator provides a quantitative indication of afever.
 6. The wearable article of claim 1 wherein the fever indicator isdisposed on a carrier element.
 7. The wearable article of claim 4wherein the urine sensitive component dissolves upon contact with urine.8. The wearable article of claim 1 wherein the fever indicator signals afever only when urine is present in the article and the temperature inat least a portion of the article is above a preset threshold.
 9. Thewearable article of claim 1 wherein the fever indicator comprises aplasticizer.
 10. A disposable absorbent article for receiving andcontaining bodily exudates, the disposable absorbent article comprising:an outer cover adapted to fit about a portion of a wearer; a fluidpermeable topsheet; an absorbent structure disposed adjacent at least aportion of the outer cover; and a fever indicator affixed to a componentof the disposable absorbent article, wherein the fever indicatorprovides a visible, audible, or tactile signal when a wearer's bodytemperature is above a predetermined threshold temperature, the feverindicator determining the wearer's body temperature from urine expelledfrom the wearer's body.
 11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10wherein the fever indicator is disposed on at least a portion of thetopsheet.
 12. The disposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein thefever indicator is detachable from the topsheet.
 13. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 10 wherein the fever indicator provides aqualitative or quantitative indication of a fever.
 14. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 10 wherein the fever indicator comprises atemperature indicating component.
 15. The disposable absorbent articleof claim 10 wherein the fever indicator comprises at least one of aurine sensitive component and a temperature sensitive component.
 16. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein the fever indicator isdisposed on a carrier element.
 17. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 10 wherein the fever indicator signals a fever only when urine ispresent in the article and the temperature in at least a portion of thearticle is above a preset threshold.
 18. The disposable absorbentarticle of claim 10 wherein the fever indicator comprises a plasticizer.19. An insert for use with a wearable article, the insert comprising afever indicator comprising; a temperature indicating component; and acarrier, wherein the fever indicator is affixed to a component of thewearable article, wherein the fever indicator provides a visible,audible, or tactile signal when a wearer's body temperature is above apredetermined threshold temperature, the fever indicator determining thewearer's body temperature from urine expelled from the wearer's body.20. The insert of claim 19 wherein the fever indicator further comprisesat least one of a urine sensitive component and a temperature sensitivecomponent.